Science Friday Investigating Fraud At The Heart Of Alzheimer’s Research
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Feb 12, 2025 Charles Piller, an investigative journalist at Science Magazine and author of "Doctored," delves into the murky waters of Alzheimer’s research. He discusses alarming allegations of scientific fraud, including manipulated images that undermine research integrity. Piller explores the controversies surrounding the Alzheimer's drug semifilam, revealing the FDA's complicity in oversight failures. The conversation highlights the importance of ethics and accountability in science, emphasizing how fraudulent practices can derail crucial advancements in treatment.
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The Semifilum Story
- Semifilum, a drug for Alzheimer's, faced concerns regarding its development and clinical trials.
- A whistleblower, Matthew Schrag, uncovered doctored images in the research supporting the drug.
FDA's Awareness
- The company developing Semifilum admitted to cherry-picking data to improve clinical trial results.
- The FDA was aware of the misconduct but allowed trials to continue.
Schrag's Further Investigation
- Matthew Schrag, after uncovering issues with Semifilum, investigated other Alzheimer's research.
- He found doctored images in a seminal 2006 Nature study on Alzheimer's.
